The state trooper involved in a fatal shootout with a man who allegedly killed a Manchester family in 2013 has been named the Illinois State Police Officer of the Year.

Brad Williams, who works out of the state police’s Pittsfield office and lives in the Winchester area, was one dozens of troopers, state police employees and good Samaritans who were recognized during the ceremony Friday at Glenwood High School in Chatham.

Illinois State Police Director Hiram Grau said the ceremony recognizes the courage and determination of the people who serve and protect.

“We’re acknowledging some very, very heroic acts, which, I must say, doesn’t surprise me,” Grau said. “We have some very dedicated and talented people who are focused and help the citizens of this great state. Not only our people but other agencies we work with.”

Williams, who also recently received the agency’s Medal for Honor, is a motorcycle officer. On the morning of April 24, 2013, he spotted a vehicle connected to the murder of five family members and an unborn child in Manchester.

After short chase that included other officers, Winchester Police Chief George Lindsey disabled the suspect’s car. The suspect, Rick O. Smith, 43, of rural Morgan County, reportedly emerged from the vehicle with a shotgun and started firing at Williams and the Winchester chief. Williams returned fire and killed Smith.

Lindsey was at the ceremony and received the Director’s Award of Distinction for his actions that day. He’s glad Williams received the Officer of the Year award.

“It’s well-deserved. I was hoping he would get it,” Lindsey said. “I was really glad Brad was there that day. If I ever get into something like that again, I hope I would look up and see him beside me again. Brad is a super police officer.”

Fourteen other troopers were awarded the department’s Lifesaving Medal. Many of them performed CPR to save someone’s life. Dispatchers and forensic scientists were also recognized for their work.

State Trooper James M. Sauter was posthumously awarded the agency’s Purple Heart Medal. Sauter, 28, was killed March 28, 2013, when his squad car was struck by a semitrailer on Interstate 294 near Northbrook.

Williams was quick to talk about other officers when asked about his award.

“I’m very honored,” Williams said. “But think about the Sauter family. We have guys who gave up a lot more than me or anybody else. Jimmy gave his life.”

Williams also praised the Winchester chief.

“Without Chief Lindsey, it wouldn’t have gone the way it did. No way,” Williams said.

Authorities say Smith broke into the Manchester home of Brittney Luark, 23, and James Roy Ralston, 29, about 4:30 a.m. April 24, 2013, and killed the family members with a shotgun.

Page 2 of 2 - In addition to Luark and Ralston, the dead included their sons, Nolan, 5, and Brantley, 1, and Luark’s grandmother, Jo Ann Sinclair, 66. Luark’s unborn child also was killed.